Next Images

Following my trip to Marks and Spencers, I returned to Next to attempt taking a photo of thier denim section. I was successful! :)

Section of the wall display of jeans

Edge of wall display with style guide panel

Image of free standing rail with the main wall display, which holds other denim products.

Since it has been a week since my first visit to the store, I expected there may have been a change in the display, but the only difference I noticed was the new stand holding the shirts (above), previously this stand had held non-denim shirts.

Now I have uploaded these images, I realise that it may have been more worth while to have taken images of all the denim wear products, to allow comment on the section as a whole, as the section is bigger than the images above show. I did take two other photos, but due to moving they are very blury! This could been improved upon!

French Connection No More...

Today I went shopping!

Firstly I took a trip to French Connection, as planned in my previous post, and was expecting great things as I've never visited the Southampton store, but I have previously shopped in the Newcastle Metro Centre store. In Southampton I was disappointed.

The store was tiny and even in the small space was split equally between Women's and Men's wear. I didn't feel inspired in the store. There was only 2 different pairs of women's jeans, and no other denim products. I felt that for the success of my coursework, I needed to choose another store to be the competitor for my main store- Next.

So I took a walk around West Quay shopping centre and my attention was attracted into Marks and Spencers by a seemingly new (and quite good) display. Walking around I soon found the denim section, which appears to have had a revamp. I managed to take the following pictures on my camera phone:

This display highlights the different styles of jeans available

This stand was close by the display above, further educating the customer on the different shapes and styles available.

The rails feature tabs at the top, ensuring the customer find thier preferred style of jean easily.

Large wall display featuring the product. Aspirational for customers, and also appealing to a younger market.

Floor feature, displaying the denimwear with other products from casual wear, from the INDIGO Collection. Interestingly shaped mannequinn and way of hanging the jeans in the box-like rail (towards the back of the image).

Overall, I was suprised with what I found in Marks and Spencer; I didn't expect there to be the selection of denim wear that there was, nor did i expect the visual displays or the customer guidence in shape and style selection. Therefore, I have decided to change my competitor company, from French Connection, to Marks and Spencer.

What????

The beginning...

For this unit I am creating a Reflective Journal and Blog on Store Management. I have already decided that my chosen method of Journal writing is through a book with both writing and images, I chose this as I have written this way before and I enjoy this outlet as a way of expressing my thoughts.

My next obstacle was deciding which shop/ store to focus my work on. I knew I wanted to look at denim wear, as it is a product of interest to me and also very different to what I looked at for Fashion Cycle, but I wasn't sure which store to research.

Yesterday I took a walk around West Quay Shopping Centre walking around the stores, looking at how shops display their denim wear. A store that stood out to me was Next, which had a clear section for their denim wear, wall space taken up with jeans, and differently shaped racks for dresses, skirts, shirts, jeggings etc.

I felt that for Next, the way they hung their jeans was different for them: folded in half over the hanger then folded back and hung by the belt loop, and I liked the look as it was more interesting and eye catching than simply hanging them with a clip hanger, which I remember they generally do, as saw some other jeans in other sections of the store hung this way. I wanted to take a photograph with my camera phone, but a store assistant appeared to re-stock the section and created a slight atmosphere of tension through looking at me every few moments or so. I felt uncomfortable so didn't attempt the photo. I plan to return to the store to take my photo, but next time I may look for a store assistant who appears more approachable, and introduce myself before taking the photo.

Now I needed to choose a competitor. I was unsure of who to choose as a competitor as they have such a vast target market. So I asked the advice of Emma, who suggested French Connection. I have looked on their website, and like the look of their denim wear, and after only a brief look their website already looks much more interesting than Next's so I feel French Connection may be a good competitor for comparison.

My next step is to visit French Connection, and get those photos!!!!!!

Store Management

New Unit

Store Management

Reflective Journal and Blog